Upcoming acts named for Don Gibson Theatre, headliner for Art of Sound festival

Saturday

Feb 23, 2013 at 12:01 AMFeb 23, 2013 at 4:14 PM

Jessica Pickens

The Art of Sound Music Festival is moving to September this year, and an internationally known performer will headline the event.

Colin Hay, former lead singer of 1980s band Men at Work (“Who Can It Be Now?,” “Down Under”) and current solo performer, will headline the Cleveland County Arts Council’s Art of Sound festival. The festival is scheduled for Sept. 19-21.

The music event’s date change and announcements for eight upcoming Don Gibson Theatre musical performances were announced Friday at the venue.

“We changed the date partly because after 10 years, we felt we needed a change,” said Shearra Miller, president of the Cleveland County Arts Council. “There is a good bit going on in October and not as much in September. We felt Art of Sound needed a chance to grow on its own.”

Art of Sound differs from other music festivals because it includes both outdoor and indoor performances, Miller said.

The arts council is still scheduling other musical performances that will take place that weekend.

Don Gibson Theatre shows announced Friday:

March 22: Riders in the Sky

A Western comedy group, they performed “Woody’s Round-Up” in Disney’s “Toy Story 2.” The group, which formed in 1977, has won two Grammy awards.

More: ridersinthesky.com

April 7: Free performance by Charlotte Symphony

Charlotte Spring Festival of Arts, the Ulysses Festival, is coming for a commissioned performance for the Charlotte Symphony, entitled, “Mill Village: A Piedmont Rhapsody.” Tickets are free but must be reserved by calling the venue or picking them up in person.

More: charlottecultureguide.com/categories/index/14/1907

May 10: George Hatcher Band

George Hatcher, a Gardner-Webb graduate, has performed with his band since it initially formed in Europe during the 1970s.

More: georgehatcherband.com

May 17: Exile

The band from Kentucky had the 1978 hit, “Kiss You All Over,” before transforming into a country band. The band performed together from the 1960s until breaking up in the 1990s.

More: exile.biz

May 17: Nantucket

The Jacksonville-based band formed in 1969 and had the 1977 hit “Heartbreaker.”

More: nantucketband.com

Sept. 7: Sweethearts of the Rodeo

The music duo includes Janis and Kristine Oliver. The two performed from 1986 to 1996 and reunited in 2010. Some of their hit singles include “Midnight Girl/Sunset Town,” “Chain of Gold” and “Blue to the Bone.” Janis’s ex-husband, Vince Gill, performed at the Don Gibson Theatre earlier this month.

More: sweetheartsoftherodeo.com

Sept. 20: Colin Hay

The Scottish musician was the lead singer of the 1980s band of Men at Work and later went solo. Hay’s solo work was featured in several episodes of the “Scrubs” TV series.

More: colinhay.com

Nov. 29: Edwin McCain

The Greenville, S.C., native returns the day after Thanksgiving. McCain sang the late 90s hits “I’ll Be” and “I Could Not Ask for More,” which were both Top 40 singles in the U.S.

More: edwin.com

To reserve tickets for any of these shows, call the Don Gibson Theatre at 704-482-3339 or buy online at www.dgshelby.com.

Reach Jessica Pickens at 704-669-3332 or jpickens@shelbystar.com . Follow on Twitter at @StarJPickens.